Hisar: Demanding quota in government jobs the Jats are likely to intensify their protest after Haryana government refused to release those Jat leaders who were arrested on March 6. The Jat Aarakshan Samiti has announced for a Haryana bandh on Saturday.

The protesters have also refused to cremate the body of the youth, Sandeep, who was killed in clashes between police and protesters untill their demands are met.

Leading the Kafurpur dharna Yashpal Malik said, “The reservation issue has taken a back seat and the release of arrested Jat leaders have become our priority now. Despite our warning to the district administration the police arrested five more leaders and presented them in the court. All of them have been sent to judicial custody.”

On the other hand a 15 member team led by Sube Singh of Khap representatives on Friday reached Hisar jail to meet the arrested Jat leaders. They also made an appeal to Jat agitators to maintain peace during the demonstration and urged the administration not to commit excesses while dealing with theprotesters.

Meanwhile, a sarv khap panchayat was held in Jind on Friday to discuss the impasse between Jat protesters and Haryana government, which ended without any outcome.